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symbolicus

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word symbolicus

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 362 AD, Charisius
Borrowed from
Ancient Greek συμβολικός
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek συμβολικός

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [symˈbɔ.lɪ.kʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [simˈbɔː.li.kus][1]

Forms

symbolicus (feminine symbolica, neuter symbolicum, adverb symbolicē); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek συμβολικός (sumbolikós, “symbolic, figurative”),[1][2][3] the adjective to the word Latin borrowed as symbolum.[2] Classical Latin already had the adverb symbolicē.[4] It is the source of Italian simbolico.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The grammarian Charisius is the first to use it,[3][2] in the sense “figurative, allegorical”.[3][6]

Semantic evolution

In Late Latin it meant figurative or allegorical.[3][6][5] Medieval Latin used it for what has the character of a symbol or sign,[7][4] and British sources also for what belongs to a heraldic device.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 362 AD – Charisius uses it for “figurative”.[3][2]
  • 1650s – English has symbolic, from symbol or from the Latinised Greek word.[8]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Figurative, allegorical.[3][6][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Having the character of a symbol or sign, symbolical.[7][4][1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Of a heraldic device.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e f Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d e Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Symbolicus.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/symbolicus. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·